All we do, and how we do it, seeks to promote God’s beauty, goodness, and truth in a broken world. As such, we are defined by our ability to make people’s lives measurably better; our ability to deliver impact is the measure of our collective success. For we know that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared in advance for us to do. At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of values called Heartbeat Values.

Position: Area program Manager I  

Duty Station:    Leka Dulecha, East Wollega

Duration of Contract:   One-year contract, Renewable (with 60 working days probation period)

Closing date:    February 28, 2025

Job Summary  

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Program Director, the Area Program Manager will plan, organize, coordinate and lead project implementation at the Area Program level, including the management of personnel, M&E and finance management within the area program, ensuring that projects stay on time, scope, and budget. The Area Program Manager represents the program to the local government and community structures and is expected to ensure that FH increasingly achieves community transformation through quality assurance in project implementation and applying the organization’s Heartbeat (Values, Vision and Purpose)

Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Planning and Management 

• Ensure timely and appropriate engagement with community members to analyze local systems, identify patterns, and recognize areas where interventions can create the most significant impact.  

• In collaboration with the Systems Practice Specialist and the technical leads, facilitate the co-creation of solutions that are community-led and contextually appropriate. 

• Use insights from systems mapping to inform strategic decisions and program adjustments. 

• Lead the yearly, quarterly and monthly planning process for all projects in the area programs. 

• Supervise program implementation on a daily basis, ensuring that projects stay on time, scope, and budget. 

• Promote collaborative working relationships between stakeholders and the operational projects to ensure synergy within the program area for maximum impact.  

• Plan and conduct regular field visits to assess the implementation of activities.  

• Supervise implementation of SotF activities in the Area Program, including supervision of the Value Exchange Relationships Coordinator.  

Program Documentation, Reporting and M&E 

• In partnership with the area program teams, ensure that periodic progress reports (quarterly, bi-annual and annual) for all projects in the area are prepared and submitted within agreed reporting timelines and in accordance with the established donor and organizational standards. .   

• In close collaboration with the M&E Manager, ensure that M&E processes are undertaken, and feedback is continuously incorporated into program implementation.  

• Ensure proper documentation of program activities and best practices.  

• Document and share lessons learned and best practices to contribute to organizational learning.  

Strategic partnerships and business development  

• Represent FH at the relevant county and national government authorities at program level, helping to ensure constructive working relationships are maintained to allow expansion, alignment and growth of FH’s programs within the area.   

• Represent FH to other NGOs and visitors ensuring coordination and attendance at relevant interagency technical and security coordination networks at the program area level. 

• In coordination with other FH teams, develop and strengthen new and existing relationships with public and private sector donors, positioning FH as a preferred partner in the area.  

• Provide input into project proposals that will be implemented in the area.  

• Oversee new initiatives, new geographies, and new partnerships across the AP. 

Financial, Procurement and Risk Management 

• Ensure financial management across project budgets in line with FH financial management policies and donor regulations. 

• Review monthly Budget Variance Analysis (BVAs), providing appropriate feedback.  

• In collaboration with Procurement Officers, develop procurement plans with appropriate lead times to ensure timely acquisition of goods and services; track procurements in line with the plan. 

• Develop risk registers and strategies to manage risks across the projects. 

• Lead compliance to all FH, Donor and Government policies and procedures. Disseminate and guide staff in use of Procurement, Purchasing, IT, Security, Safeguarding and other work facilitation manuals/policies/SOPs.  

• Promote FH’s Community-System for Accountability and Feedback (C-SAFE) to provide an opportunity for program participants to provide feedback about FH’s work. Close feedback loops and provide opportunities for adaptive programming across communities. 

 Leadership, culture and talent development 

• Lead and manage staff ensuring clarity of strategy, plans and priorities, providing supervision, coaching and mentoring, encouraging effective teamwork and inclusiveness and building a team spirit through regular meetings and events.  

• Lead and contribute to developing and modeling a team culture characterized by a shared vision, commitment and mutual accountability that reflects FH’s Heartbeat  

• Conduct performance management processes including refining of JDs, setting of performance goals, periodic appraisals for direct reports. 

• Other duties as assigned 

Safeguarding Policy

FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the FH Heartbeat and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Gender Responsibility

⮚ Publicly endorse FH is gender sensitive and inform the mandates of the Gender & Diversity groups, gender advisors, and gender focal Points.

⮚  Enforce the sexual harassment policy and on field visits, raise gender issues with staff, and demonstrate strong stand about gender related abuses

⮚ Using review meetings, field visits, and other methods, clarify that Climate Resilience manager is strongly committed to the principle of equal opportunity for women and men, and a true gender balance in staffing.

⮚  Facilitate female staff participation in local and regional networks, as well as seminars and cross visits.

Ensure the equal participation and engagement of the women beneficiaries in all project activities 

Safety & Security Responsibility

⮚  Ensures that safety and security costs are included in all program budgets.  These include but not limited to staff training on safety and security, site enhancements for safety and security, human resources (security officers), purchase/ maintenance of basic safety and security resources & tools and budgets for safety and security assessments.

⮚  Communicating with all field level project staffs and making sure that all staff members are aware of the safety and security procedures.

⮚  Facilitating implementation and revision of Country Office procedures when required.  This includes identifying potentially risky situations and suggesting corrective measures.

⮚   Encourages compliance of Safety and Security principles and policies of the organization by all staffs.

⮚   Takes the leadership in the management of Safety and Security in the Projects.  This includes identifying factors that increase risk, finding ways to reduce risk and planning ahead.

⮚ Ensuring that all employees, local/foreign interns, as well as external consultants submit an updated Record of Emergency Data to their travels out of their base stations to accomplish FHE’s mission.

Job Requirements

Technical/Functional Skills  

• Full agreement with FH’s Christian beliefs. 

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in program management and coordination, from program inception (proposal writing and budget development) to implementation and close out.  

• Demonstrable budget management experience, including experience implementing and working in accordance with corporate and donor policies and practices.  

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with local communities and other stakeholders. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision- making skills.  

• Commitment to accountability to beneficiaries, showing dignity and respect, and demonstrating listening and understanding skills.  

• Excellent report writing, interpersonal and communications skills. 

• Flexibility to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines. 

• Ability to reside within the area program and travel to the field at least 25% of their time. Expectation is 25-50% of their time.  

• Demonstrated computer -operating skills, including proficiency in Google platforms, Microsoft Office products, and virtual technologies. 

• Knowledge and experience with participatory approaches, including systems mapping, human centered design, and capacity building of local partners, is desired.  

Experience 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in program management, compliance, and financial management in a similar position. Non-profit experience is a plus.  

• Experience in working closely with other development partners and stakeholders including but not limited to, sector working groups, county government, international and local NGOs , and private and institutional donors.  

• Demonstrable experience supervising multi-functional teams.

Education/Certifications 

• Bachelor's degree in development studies/social sciences, business administration, and development agricultural sciences, environment and resilience programing. 

• Post graduate qualification in project management, management, development studies or M&E is an added advantage

Distinguishing Competencies

• Highly developed leadership, influencing and communication skills, and demonstrable capability in relationship building at all levels.

• Proven budget management experience coupled with experience in implementing and working in accordance with corporate structures, policies and practices.

Language Skills  

• Proficiency in spoken and written English. Ability to speak the local language of the area is an added advantage

Supervisory Responsibility  

• The position supervises Project Officers, and Finance staff.  

How to Apply

Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Competent candidates should submit their application and updated CV’s ONLY to: recruitment_fhe@fh.org

Candidates MUST refer the position title "Area program Manager I" on the subject line of their email and applications

Important Notes:

Please note that the subject of your email should be the position title "Area Program Manager I".

Applications should be sent only once and repeated receipt of applications from one person is not acceptable.